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SIREN has a vision of a new America where immigrants are valued, integrated, and seen as essential to our society, and where the human rights of all persons are protected and honored. SIREN’s core value is immigrant empowerment. We focus on immigrants themselves being the primary agents of change. By strengthening and deepening the participation level and leadership of immigrants, we work toward long-term systemic changes that promote social justice and equality, freedom from oppression, and an end to poverty. Through these long-term systemic changes, immigrants will have the opportunity for individual/social responsibility, self-determination and political participation. By accomplishing this, we will have a society that is compassionate, inclusive and united.

Yesterday, U.S. District Court Judge John Mendez rejected much of the Trump Administration’s efforts to temporarily halt California’s laws to protect immigrants. In his decision, the judge denied a preliminary injunction against the California Values Act (SB 54) which limits local law enforcement entanglement with ICE, AB 103 which authorizes California’s Attorney General to monitor immigration detention centers, and a provision of the Immigrant Worker Protection Act (AB 450) that requires employers to provide employees notice of I-9 audits. While the judge temporarily suspended other provisions of AB 450, including requiring employers to ask for a judicial warrant before entering private workplace areas and to ask for a judicial warrant or subpoena before releasing private employee records, employers may still voluntarily comply with the law. The following is a statement from Maricela Gutiérrez, Executive Director of Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network (SIREN):

“The decision by Judge Mendez finding that much of these laws are binding and cannot be halted is a major blow to the Trump’s xenophobic and white supremacist agenda. The California Values Act is needed especially in parts of the state like the Central Valley where sheriffs and local law enforcement are frequently entangled with ICE and have cozied up to the Administration’s attacks on immigrants. And with more immigrants and refugees being incarcerated, monitoring and oversight of immigration jails are needed now more than ever. And though we are disappointed that the judge temporarily suspended the judicial warrant requirements for ICE to enter private areas of workplaces or get private employee records, we urge all employers to stand with their immigrant workers and voluntarily exercise their right to deny entry to immigrant agents without such a warrant and not release private employee records without a warrant or subpoena. This decision shows that we are in the right in leading the way, and California is on solid ground in creating shields of protection for the community.”

SIREN Disappointed by Failure to Redesignate TPS for Yemen

Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued its decision regarding Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Yemen. The agency renewed TPS for 18 months but that only allows current TPS beneficiaries to renew their status. The agency failed to redesignate TPS for Yemen which means that Yemeni nationals who arrived to the U.S. after January 4, 2017 will not be eligible to apply for TPS. The following is a statement from Maricela Gutiérrez, Executive Director of Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network (SIREN):

“While the extension of TPS will allow current Yemeni beneficiaries to renew their status, this falls far short of what is necessary. Individuals and families continue to flee a country that is experiencing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises including ongoing bombings and armed conflict, food crises, and cholera epidemics. Those who arrived after the January 2017 deadline are in no less danger if they are forced to return. We will continue to call on Congress to seek a permanent solution for those left out of today’s decision as well as individuals from Haiti, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua who are facing forced deportation due to their termination of TPS.”

SIREN | Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network

SIREN’s mission is to empower low-income immigrants and refugees in Santa Clara County through community education and organizing, leadership development, policy advocacy and naturalization services. We believe that all people regardless of legal status or nationality are entitled to essential services, human dignity, basic rights and protections, and access to full participation in society.

As we fight for immigrant and refugee rights, we ask you to consider making a donation or becoming a monthly donor. Your support will directly support free legal services, advocacy work for more just laws, and leadership training for community leaders.

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